Romantic Riquewihr, Beblenheim and Kientzheim.

This is a sample itinerary of a typical half day wine tour to beautiful Alsace.

On this tour, I advise that you either eat a hearty breakfast or bring a snack with you as we will not be stopping for lunch.

Meet Colin in the foyer of your hotel.

Your wine tasting experience, begins with a trip along the celebrated Routes des Vins d’Alsace.

This is a 105-mile road (170-km) that weaves its way through the lush vineyard decorated slopes of the magnificent Vosges Mountains.

Together we will make our way through the bewitching départment of the Haut-Rhin, where during the course of the day, we will stop at four small artisanal wineries to taste and savour the magnificent wines for which Alsace is rightfully acclaimed, including Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Riesling.

On your wine tasting tour, you will learn about the rich diversity of grapes grown, the influence of the many varied soils and the importance of terroir.

The Romantic Riquewihr, Kientzheim & Beblenheim wine tour is the perfect introduction to the fabulous wines of Alsace and their many varied styles.

On this amazing tour, you will get to experience three world famous family owned wineries, taste their wines, stroll through the alleys and tread the narrow medieval cobbled streets of both historic Riquewihr and the tiny picturesque village of Kientzheim.

Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr is also home to one of the most significant wine producing Grand Cru’s in the whole of Alsace, the Schonenbourg.

The untouched, historic village of Riquewihr dates from the middle ages and lies in the shadow of the Schonenbourg Grand Cru, famous for producing many of the best Rieslings in the whole of the region.

Lined with traditional brightly painted ancient buildings, wandering through this village will reveal to you the real Alsace as it was hundreds of years ago.

Arrival at our first winery, for a tasting of amongst other wines, Crémant d’Alsace.

Hear the fascinating story about the creation of this wine and why it is so special. The family of this Domaine are 14th generation and produce many of the best, critically acclaimed wines in the region.

The Vigneron’s of Riquewihr produce unquestionably, many of the most exquisitely dry white wines to be found anywhere in the region, especially Riesling for which the Schonenbourg Grand Cru is justifiably famous.

It is here in Riquewihr, that you will taste sparkling Crémant d’Alsace, (made using the traditional champagne method) also the deliciously fragrant, and multi-layered Gewürztraminer wine, famous for its spicy, fragrant, fruity character, amongst many other wonderful wines.

Discover your favourite grape and style from dry & zesty to delightfully sweet, here you will have the opportunity to explore a wide and varied range of award winning wines.

Journeying up into the ancient Schonenbourg Grand Cru vineyard, which dominates this bewitching village, you will then have the opportunity to enjoy a chilled glass of wine whilst strolling amongst the many aged vines that are planted there.

Savour this incredible experience of walking amongst the aged vines with a chilled glass of wine in your hand. Surveying the medieval villages that pepper this pristine landscape, their gentle slopes sprinkled with ancient family vineyards.

Here you will encounter an esteemed wine producing family whose multi-award winning wines are produced strictly in accordance with organic and bio-dynamic practices.

The winemaker is an authority and pioneering exponent of Bio-diversity in the creation of a natural eco-system for his vines. He firmly believes in the harmonisation of soil, plants, animals (and most importantly for us on this tour).

His vines as an integrated whole living organism, respecting mother nature.

It is because of this steadfast philosophy that his wines are rightfully highly respected and venerated not only by wine professionals and journalists, but with wine lovers and connoisseurs around the globe.

Following this we will then travel to the beautiful village of Kientzheim, which dates from the middle ages, lying cradled in the shadow of the magnificent Schlossberg Grand Cru, where we will visit our next boutique winery.

Here you will encounter a unique wine producer with international credentials. His wines are studded with a multitude of global awards and are produced strictly according to organic practices and beliefs that respect the philosophy of Bio-dynamism. He also practices the Chinese internal energy art of Qi-Gong.

After an in-depth and comprehensive, educational wine tasting we will then begin our return trip to either Colmar or Basel where we will end our half day trip.

We will then make our way back to either Colmar or Basel (Switzerland) where we will then drop you back at your hotel.